Jury hears audio of gunshot that killed Pacific Beach man

SAN DIEGO – A jury in a murder trial heard a recording of the single gunshot that killed a Pacific Beach man almost a year ago.

Richard Kyle Herrman, 34, pleaded not guilty to the Jan. 26, 2025, slaying of Gabriel Fergus, 51, who was among seven people living at the condo in the 1600 block of Chalcedony Street in Pacific Beach.

Deputy District Attorney Gabriella DiCaprio played security camera footage in San Diego Superior Court to start the trial Wednesday.

The audio of the gunshot was played during the testimony of the first witness, Steven Owen, who is the former president of the homeowners’ association. Owen testified about noise complaints residents had about people living with Herrman, the son of the condo’s owner.

Owen said Margaret Herrman was the owner of the condo where her son stayed. He told the court that there were “all different kinds of people coming in and out.” He said seven people lived in the unit within the last two years, and Herrman did not provide a list of the names of people who stayed there.

Residents complained about people jumping the wire fence that surrounded the unit. Other complaints included people putting in gum rocks, or debris to keep a gate open, according to Owen.

The prosecutor showed jurors and Judge Aaron Katz video surveillance of Fergus and others who jumped a tall wire fence as they lacked a key to get inside.

Fergus “seemed to get along” with Herrman. “He was there daily,” said Owen.

After the shooting, Owen said he looked at Unit C, which he described as “demolished” with holes in the walls and most of the windows broken. He said the unit was strewn with mattresses.

The condo went into foreclosure after the shooting, and has subsequently been sold, Owen said.

Herrman is also charged with possession of a firearm by a felon. He remains in jail on $2 million bail.